Chapter 104: It's Our Turn to Take the Stage.

“Hey, buddy, I like too many young guys, I don’t know who you’re talking about.” On the home court of the Washington Wizards, star guard John Wall responded to his teammate while warming up: “Bradley, Michael Wu is definitely starting.”

“Why? He took a nosedive from behind and landed on the floor. If it’s a concussion, it won’t be fixed in a few days.”

The one chatting with Wall was the Wizards’ second-in-command—Bradley Beal.

After scoring a three-pointer, Beal continued: “In the last game, that Michael Wu didn’t start.”

“Maybe, but I have a feeling he’ll play today.”

Wall didn’t linger on this issue for long. He jumped up and grabbed the rim, then directed his gaze toward the away team’s bench: “Whether that guy starts or not, we’ll win this game anyway.”

The Wizards had signed a new contract with Beal this summer, while releasing interior player Nene and promoting Marquese Morris to the starting lineup.

In theory, this season should be their breakout year, but their performance so far has been disappointing.

In the 19 games so far, they’ve only won seven, even failing to reach half the win rate.

This put immense pressure on the team’s head coach, Scott Brooks. There were too many coaches fired due to poor records; who knows if it would be him next?

Similarly, the Brooklyn coach wouldn’t allow himself to be the one eliminated!

In contrast to the tense atmosphere on the Wizards’ side, on the Magic’s side, Vogel merely gave some game notes to the players during warm-ups.

“Elfrid, you and Michael play off the bench together. DJ, you start today.”

Vogel was instilling his thoughts into Payton: “Today Michael must play, but I can’t guarantee his state, so you must play with him to ensure the stability of the rotation lineup.”

In the next game, the team lost because of the second unit. Although Michael Wu would return, Vogel still felt some unease in his heart.

“No problem, coach, with me and Michael, plus Aaron, the opposing second unit is no match for us at all!”

Although Payton had been given the bench spot, he seemed quite excited.

Honestly, he really enjoyed playing with Michael Wu because Wu’s movements were incredibly active, and his rebounding was very fierce. Any point guard who is willing to share the ball would definitely like to team up with such a player.

Vogel nodded, then shifted his gaze to Michael Wu, who was twisting his neck: “Michael, how do you feel now?”

“My feeling is very good, sir.” Michael Wu twisted his neck, stood up, and stretched his limbs: “I’m ready to play at any time.”

“If you feel any discomfort, just foul and get out. I’ll sub you out immediately.”

Vogel instructed. Seeing Michael Wu nod, he walked over to the starting players and gave tactical arrangements for the team’s opening.

Soon, the match between the two sides was about to begin, and the starting players from both teams took the court.

On the Magic side, they indeed adjusted the starting lineup.

DJ Augustin took the starting point guard position for the season’s first game, pairing with the shooting guard Evan Fournier. Aaron Gordon also returned to the starting position, while Jeff Green was left on the bench.

This was Vogel’s decision made in the final moments before the game began. The simple reason was that he wanted to see how Aaron Gordon would perform against the Wizards’ Porter.

The Magic’s interior combination didn’t change much, still consisting of Ibaka and Vucevic.

On the Wizards’ side, the starting lineup was the same year after year: Wall and Beal paired up the backcourt guns, while the small forward starting position was occupied by the potential star Otto Porter, whom the Wizards’ fans had high hopes for. The two interior pillars were the Polish Hammer Gortat and Marquese Morris!

“The Orlando fans just ended their home win streak today. They’re coming in hot!”

The commentator by the side of the court, while the game was about to start, pumped up the atmosphere: “From their bold lineup changes today, it’s clear that Coach Frank Vogel absolutely wants to open his continuous away game trip with a victory!”

“But the Wizards playing at home are also thirsting for this win!” The other commentator started praising the Washington Wizards: “John Wall never lets Washington fans down. In this game, the home team still has the majority of winning opportunities!”

The two commentators each boosted the other, and soon, the referee stood at mid-court, and the jump ball began!

As the opening act of every game, Michael Wu didn’t even need to look; he knew that in the jump ball segment, Vucevic had lost to the opponent again.

Sure enough, the first offensive of the opening was controlled by the Wizards. The ball was passed several times, arriving in John Wall’s hands. This all-star level point guard firmly controlled the rhythm, dribbling while directing his teammates’ tactical runs.

A simple pick-and-roll, counter, Bradley Beal shook off Fournier easily to get shooting space. Wall’s hands were quick, passing to Beal, who shot smoothly. The ball flew through the air and fell steadily into the net!

The Wizards’ opening three-pointer was easily made through the seamless cooperation of the two guns!

However, the Magic side was no pushovers either. Ibaka took advantage of his arm span advantage, mismatched single-handedly against Beal, feinted, and then jumped to shoot.

Honestly, although Ibaka’s blocks are impressive, his mid-range shot is also very good.

“Swish!”

Ibaka’s mid-range shot was made. Both teams had gains from their opening first offensive.

And the two opening balls seemed to foreshadow the game state today. At the start of the first quarter, both the Wizards and the Magic had extremely high shooting percentages. Their tactical runs were perfect, with several eye-catching tactical combinations that made fans cheer.

This performance also made both teams’ head coaches unwilling to make substitutions easily. It was like a dynamic balance; once one side fluctuates and the balance breaks, the other side becomes the biggest beneficiary.

It continued like this until the end of the first quarter. The Wizards made personnel adjustments first. On the Magic side, Vogel remained unmoved.

After the first quarter, both teams had played in Washington to a high score of 31:29. Of course, the leading team was the home team, the Wizards!

“Both teams played the first quarter excellently, which makes me even more eager for their second half matchup!”

The commentator was doing a simple analysis of the first quarter game while saying: “Everyone knows that the Orlando Magic’s second unit has an indispensable key player.”

“Today, whether Michael Wu can play or not may determine the final direction of this game!”

At the same time, on the Magic’s bench, Michael Wu stood up, took off his jacket.

“Come, guys, it’s our turn to go up!”